“BISP’s integrated social information system enables all layers
of government to coordinate their response to ensure maximum productivity,
avoid duplicity of benefits and stop wastage of public money”, said Minister of
State and Chairperson BISP MNA Marvi Memon during her key note address at the
inaugural session of the International Seminar on Social Information System in
Mexico City, Mexico, says a press release received here today from Mexico.
The three day seminar was jointly organized by the Mexico’s Ministry
of Social Development, Social Development Committee of the Senate, Social
Development Committee of the House of Representatives and the World Bank. The
purpose of the seminar was to assist the Mexico’s Ministry of Social
Development in developing the regulatory mechanisms as well as institutionalize
its strategic planning and targeting instrument for social development policy
at the national level. Lawmakers and international experts from Brazil,
Colombia, Guatemala, Chile, Mexico, the World Bank and Pakistan were invited to
attend the seminar.
Sharing the best practices from Pakistan, the Chairperson Marvi
said BISP’s National Socio Economic Registry (NSER) has led to the development
of an integrated social information system which replaced all other fragmented
targeting mechanisms across the country. BISP’s transparent means of selection,
use of innovative technology, a comprehensive package of services, and
effective design and implementation has made BISP one of the pioneers of an
integrated social information systems in the world. She further added that
being the only country from Asia to have been invited to this elite group of
Latin American countries, who have been implementing social protection schemes
for almost two decades, demonstrates the recognition of BISP as an
international best practice.
Mr. Pablo Gottret, Sector Manager, Social Protection and Labor,
the World Bank said that BISP’s centralized social information system provides
a unique case for the Latin American countries to develop an all inclusive tool
for the development of social policies.
The Under Secretary Ministry of Social Development Mexico, Mr.
Javier Garcia Bejos said that data collection through technology based
mechanisms as demonstrated by BISP is an important lesson learned for
Mexico.
Mr. Guillermo Cejudo, Director General of Center for Economic
Research and Teaching, Mexico said that data sharing protocols and the
committee formulated by BISP should be replicated by the Mexican Social
Development Ministry.
Sharing Pakistan’s experience on the regulatory frameworks in a
later session, Ms. Memon highlighted that the development of NSER is the
fulfillment of a constitutional obligation under Article 38 (d) and (e) to
provide social security to all citizens. The issues of institutional
fragmentation and multiple legal instruments currently faced by the countries
participating in this seminar should be dealt at different levels. She
presented a road map for the implementation of social protection framework at
policy, program and administrative levels.
Mr. Luis Alberro, Director General of Geo statistics and
Beneficiary Registries, Mexico said that this roadmap would prove instrumental
in institutionalizing Mexico’s fragmented social protection schemes spread
across the country.
Ms. Tereza Campello, Brazil’s former Minister for Social
Development said that this roadmap may help the Latin American countries
implementing social development schemes in integrating, harmonizing and
coordinating fragmented and duplicate programs.
Minister Marvi also visited a community kitchen for the
earthquake victims in Mexico, where she met Prospera (social safety net of
Mexico) beneficiaries. She assured them of full support on behalf of Pakistan
and said that Pakistan would be sharing ERRA and NDMA prototypes with Mexico
for effective disaster management.
